System and method for conveying status information regarding an electronic faucet
AssigneeMasco Corporation of Indiana
InventorJoel D Sawaski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electronic faucet has controller is configured to selectively open and close a valve to provide fluid flow through the valve and a passageway of the faucet. The controller is programmed to monitor a maintenance condition of the electronic faucet and to selectively open and close the valve to generate a fluid flow pattern through the passageway to provide an indication to a user of an existing maintenance condition.
Claims29
A method of controlling fluid flow from an electronic faucet having a spout, a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout, and an electrically operable valve in fluid communication with the passageway, the method comprising:
- monitoring at least one maintenance condition of the electronic faucet;
- receiving a signal to control the valve and fluid flow through the passageway;
- and controlling opening and closing of the valve in response to the signal to generate a fluid flow pattern through the passageway that provides an indication to a user of an existing maintenance condition for the electronic faucet, wherein the fluid flow pattern includes at least one of:
- a time delay between receipt of the signal and controlling the valve, the time delay providing an indication to the user of the existing maintenance condition, and
- a plurality of fluid pulses having a pattern indicative of the existing maintenance condition.
An electronic faucet comprising:
- a spout;
- a passageway configured to conduct fluid flow through the spout;
- an electrically operable valve in fluid communication with the passageway;
- and a controller coupled to the valve, the controller being configured to selectively open and close the valve to provide fluid flow through the valve and the passageway of the spout, the controller being programmed to monitor a maintenance condition of the electronic faucet and to selectively open and close the valve to generate a fluid flow pattern through the passageway to provide an indication to a user of an existing maintenance condition, wherein the fluid flow pattern includes at least one of:
- a time delay between receipt by the controller of a signal to open or close the valve and the controller actually opening or closing the valve, the time delay providing an indication to the user of the existing maintenance condition, and
- a plurality of fluid pulses having a pattern indicative of the existing maintenance condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.